Monday, May 27, 2013

Rain Rain Rain & Thunderstorms

RAIN, RAIN, AND
THUNDERSTORMS this whole week....

But a very
productive week nonetheless. I can't remember if I mentioned in my email last
week the young man we met named Дима, but he is an amazing kid! He's 15 years
old, he's so friendly to everyone he meets, and he comes to EVERYTHING. Church,
institute, family home evening, sports night, and individual lessons. We're
also in the process of getting him to EFY, so in lessons he always asks
Heavenly Father to help him go to Germany for EFY. He's got a long ways to go
in his understanding of our message, but for now, he's well on his way to being
the next priesthood holder. We were also able to stop by Коля and see how he's
doing, and he's doing great! He read the Plan of Salvation pamphlet, but
disagreed with the doctrine that we lived with Heavenly Father before this
life. I told him that if he knows that Joseph Smith was a prophet, then he
should have no problem with that doctrine because it revealed to him from God.
It's also written in the Bible - - Jeremiah 1:5 - - "5 Before I aformed thee
in the belly I bknew thee;"
THERE IT IS! But I forgot the reference during the lesson, so I wasn't able to
share that with him, but we'll be back!

A goal that we've
made in our companionship is to get to know the members better, so we were able
to stop by 3 families this week to see how they're doing. The first family is a
older man and his wife. He's a part of the district presidency, but his wife
has been less-active. When we went over, the first thing he had us do was open
up to Alma 58: 10-11

10 Therefore we did pour out our souls
in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of
our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities,
and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people.

11 Yea, and it came to pass that the
Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea,
insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great
faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our adeliverance in
him.

He continued to tell us about the trial his family is going through at
this time: his granddaughter has leukemia and she's only 3 years old. That was
extremely sad news to hear. The faith that these members have is incredible.
They have such a strong relationship with God, they understand the gospel so
well, and they look forward with optimism and faith. So this Sunday, we fasted
for them and their granddaughter. We got to church and guess who we saw? This
man's less-active wife! And I later found out that she paid tithing for the
first time as a member. That's a miracle!

Brother Socolov (the RM) has been helping us a TON with our missionary
work. We've had lessons with him, we've gone contacting with him, and his
testimony and love for the gospel is so contagious. We love him and his
willingness to help out. My second round of interviews were also this past
Saturday, and it was good to see President and Sister Hill up here is Chisinau.
We also had interviews with the Assistants. They told us how we need to use the
Book of Mormon more in our contacting, so right after they told us that, we
went out and gave it a try, and in the space of 20 minutes, we were able to
give a Book of Mormon away, and get two numbers from two very nice ladies. We
then returned to the church and told them of our experience. God knows what we
need to do!

Well, there's more to write, but not enough time to write it, but I love
you all and hope you have a great week! And Happy Graduation Matt!!